New Pokmon Video Games Aim to Win Players' Hearts and Souls

Included Pokéwalker Accessory
Brings Pokémon Training into the Real World

From the earliest days of Nintendo’s
portable Game Boy system, Pokémon games have made their mark. Now Nintendo has
released completely updated versions of two classic Pokémon games, available now
for the Nintendo DS family of systems. The new Pokémon HeartGold Version and
Pokémon SoulSilver Version games take place in the beloved Johto region first
introduced in the Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version games 10 years
ago. The new games have evolved to include updated graphics and sound as well as
intuitive new controls that use the Nintendo DS touch screen.

The new games come with a Pokéwalker
accessory, a small device that lets players bring their favorite Pokémon with
them wherever they go. Players can transfer a Pokémon to the Pokéwalker and then
simply walk around in real life. By walking, players earn Watts that can be used
to encounter and catch wild Pokémon or search for hidden items. The Pokémon in
the Pokéwalker will gain Experience Points as the player walks, and can even go
up one level when they are transferred back into the game. Players also can
wirelessly connect two Pokéwalkers to receive a gift.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Versions feature detailed graphics that show off the hundreds of Pokémon that
players can catch and train, as well as all the different environments in the
game. For the first time, players can interact with all their favorite Pokémon
outside of battle by selecting the leader from their party to follow behind them
on their travels. An internal clock keeps track of the time of day and the day
of the week, and some special events will only happen on certain days or at
certain times of day.

As always, trading and battling with
friends is a big part of the Pokémon experience. Players with a wireless
broadband Internet connection can interact with their friends who have Pokémon
HeartGold, SoulSilver, Diamond, Pearl or Pokémon Platinum Version games to trade
or battle Pokémon via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Players also can
battle and trade with others via a local wireless connection.

“Every year Nintendo introduces a
new wave of players to Pokémon, and their enthusiasm is always amazing,” said
Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales &
Marketing. “Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions, combined with the new
Pokéwalker accessory, give longtime fans a new way to experience Pokémon, and
they open the door for the next generation of players who want to see what the
Pokémon phenomenon is all about.”